Survival theme for Dumfries and Galloway's 27th Knochengorroch

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The first acts have been announced for next year’s Knockengorroch festival in Dumfries and Galloway include Omega Nebula, Kinnaris Quintet, Moxie, General Levy and legendary Sunday takeover favourites Mungo’s Hi Fi.

Tickets are on sale now for Scotland’s longest running greenfield festival in the Carsphairn hills and it will be celebrating its 27th year with the theme of Survival from Thursday, May 22 to Sunday, May 25.

This is a nod to the fact that the past few years have been challenging for the live music scene and festivals. Last year saw 40 festivals in Scotland call it their last.

Many established events never recovered after the Covid-19 lockdowns and all are now facing higher costs and fees and dents in audience confidence.

Knockengorroch will welcome back festival favourite artists and exciting new acts from Scotland, the UK and internationally – with the full 2025 line-up still to be announced.

Festival producer Katch Holmes Katch Holmes said: “We are delighted at how our line-up is shaping up. For our first reveal we are inviting and showcasing some of the best roots and dance music from across the globe, with many more still to come as well as our workshops programme.

“Times are tough for live music and festivals, but so are we.

“ Our theme of ‘survival’ reflects our determination to continue delivering incredible, live music in a beautiful upland setting, to truly curious and diverse audiences. We believe our festival is the best kept secret on the planet, presenting an opportunity to hear international musics and collaborations which you don’t get just anywhere.

“Our site is tucked up in the Carsphairn hills, yet we’re only 90 minutes drive from Glasgow. We welcome all those who love to get away and want to experience roots music in the fresh air, under the stars, without a street light to be seen.”

With hints of traditional Scottish, Irish, Bluegrass, Classical, Scandinavian and Appalachian music, Kinnaris Quintet will make their Knockengorroch debut in 2025 and are urging festival-goers to support it.

Kinarris Quintet said: “We can’t wait to don our sparkles and join the party in the hills - we’ll be bringing some musical treats consisting of joy in abundance. This year’s theme being ‘survival’ could not be any more of a wake-up call to stand up and support festivals, and we really want to shine a light on that.

“It’s no secret that festivals, music and the arts need support more than ever, and with frighteningly rising costs, festivals are really being forced into survival mode. Those people behind the scenes producing these grassroots festivals and making them happen really are doing so out of passion and bravery, and we applaud that – not only because professionals such as musicians, crew, food vendors (the list is not exhaustive) cannot earn without festivals continuing, but because the wondrous world of festival-going provides an enigmatic sense of community, belonging and hope for so many. If we really want the beautiful, inclusive world of festivals to continue, if we want music to continue in any way, we really need to pull together and spread the word to support in order to survive.”

The 2025 confirmed line-up so far also includes: Awry, DJ Dolphin Boy X Kuchke, Euphonique, Gasper Nali, , Jack Badcock, Kryptik, Mama’s Broke, Portnawak & The Woo, Serial Killaz, State of Satta, The Fontanas and The Native Cult.

Tickets are available now, including payment plans: https://www.knockengorroch.org.uk/tickets/.

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